By Nangamso Mabindla
19 August 2004

PROVINCIAL and local governments need to come up with strategies to ensure basic essential services are delivered to all citizens, was Eastern Cape premier Nosimo Balindlela's conclusion at a meeting between a provincial executive council delegation and the Amathole District Municipality in East London on Wednesday, 18 August.

Balindlela's comments followed concerns raised by ADM mayor Sakhumzi Somyo in his presentation on the success and challenges of the district municipality.

One of the biggest challenges the ADM faces is the delivery of water and proper sanitation.

Somyo pointed out that Buffalo City, the biggest municipality in the eight-member ADM, had tackled this challenge: "We have an award-winning municipality in Buffalo City. They were also voted the best city in the country because of excellent service delivery."

However, Somyo added, there were other challenges which were the result of "the apartheid social economic legacy" which had to be overcome and he urged the Eastern Cape government to assist the municipalities in tackling them.

For example, the provincial government could assist Buffalo City in increasing the public sector investment in infrastructure, which includes the rail and road network, the expansion of the harbour, helping build a link road between Beacon Bay and Gonubie, and investment in the Industrial Development Zone.

Addressing a press conference after the meeting, Balindlela said she understood the challenges facing the ADM, especially with regard to sanitation, water, roads and electricity.

"We will take these suggestions to the Imbizos we hold in Bisho (the provincial capital). We will then try and find ways to work with the municipalities to overcome them," she said.

She said municipalities needed to include their concerns in their Integrated Development Plans and submit them to the provincial government. "We will then prioritise and include the urgent challenges in our Provincial Growth Development Programme. We will be able to then come up with a plan."

Balindlela said she was happy with the meeting, as the issues raised would further strengthen the working relations between provincial and local authorities.